After an outfield collision left him paralyzed, every gain in rehab is a big win for A’s Ryan Lasko

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (AP) – Ryan Lasko threads his left middle finger through a loop on his left sneaker.

Key points

• Those legs that once powered Lasko to track down falling line drives as a top baseball prospect for the Athletics now have to be lifted by hand.
• (AP) – Ryan Lasko threads his left middle finger through a loop on his left sneaker.
• "That's a day in the life right there, " the 24-year-old remarked.
• Baseball America described how he "gets to balls through sheer will and occasional disregard for his body as he crashes into the outfield wall or makes diving catches."

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (AP) – Ryan Lasko threads his left middle finger through a loop on his left sneaker. His face reddens as he finds the strength to gradually pull the leg throughout his body to the opposite side of a training table. He is spent.

Those legs that once powered Lasko to track down falling line drives as a top baseball prospect for the Athletics now have to be lifted by hand. He practices again and again with all the energy he can muster, mastering skills that will allow him to move from bed to wheelchair and back again.

"That's a day in the life right there, " the 24-year-old remarked. "It's very strenuous."

Months ago, Lasko was a promising outfielder on a path he hoped would one day create him a major leaguer – a 2023 second-round draft pick who had established himself in Double-A ball. Speed and defense were his greatest assets. Baseball America described how he "gets to balls through sheer will and occasional disregard for his body as he crashes into the outfield wall or makes diving catches."

Taken together, the developments around after an outfield collision left him paralyzed, every gain in rehab is point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.